Savannah at Christmas 2026: The Holiday Trolley Tour and Free Parades
Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
Savannah’s holiday season is built around a few fixed dates on the waterfront plus one ticketed trolley tour that runs on dates through late December. Here’s what’s confirmed for 2026.
Key dates
| Date | Event | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 | Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour (times vary by date) | Adults from $37.00, ages 4–12 from $19.90 (operator) |
| Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 7–9 p.m. | 25th Annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade on the Savannah River | Free |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m. | 34th Annual Lighted Christmas Street Parade | Free |
Ticketed · 29th year
Old Town Trolley — Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour
- Season November 27 – December 30, 2026; check the calendar for times
- Length 2 hours
- Price Operator site: adults from $37.00, children 4–12 from $19.90; 3 and under ride free as a lap child.
- Starts Old Savannah Distillery, 234 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (begins and ends there)
- Includes Caroling conductors past historic homes and squares; a stop at the American Prohibition Museum with a complimentary mocktail and chocolate treat; a stop at the Plant Riverside District; photos with Santa at the distillery before or after the tour
- Policy Reservations required. On the operator site, reservation tickets are non-refundable; you may reschedule up to 24 hours ahead if seats are available.
The one ticketed holiday tour in town. We couldn’t find it on Viator when we checked, so book it on the operator’s site (a plain link that earns us nothing). The operator advises allowing extra time to park and check in.
Free · on the river
25th Annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade
- When Saturday, November 28, 2026 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), 7:00–9:00 p.m.
- What 30+ decorated boats, led by the Georgia Queen riverboat, parade twice from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back past Plant Riverside District and River Street
- Where to watch Eastern Wharf (the parade’s start and end, with a Holiday Kickoff, tree lighting and Santa), Plant Riverside District, Rousakis Riverfront Plaza or anywhere on the riverwalk
Free · downtown
34th Annual Lighted Christmas Street Parade
- When Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
- Route Starts at Plant Riverside District on the west end of River Street, goes to the East Broad ramp, then winds downtown along Bay, Lincoln, Broughton and Jefferson streets
- What Community floats, cars, trolleys and walking groups, all covered in lights
Make a night of it
- Add a riverboat: our riverboat guide covers the dinner and sunset cruises. Check the listing for your December dates; they’re non-refundable on Viator, so book once your plans are set.
- Add a ghost tour: compare options in our ghost tour guide and check each listing for your dates.
- Daytime: the operator’s FAQ on Viator says the hop-on-hop-off trolley runs year-round, rain or shine (heated, enclosed trolleys in winter), so our one-day plan works in December too.
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Sources
- Old Town Trolley — Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour (dates, 2 hours, prices, inclusions, departure)
- Old Town Trolley — Holiday tour tickets (29th year, reservation and reschedule policy)
- Savannah’s Waterfront — 25th Annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade (Nov 28, 2026, 7–9 p.m., route, viewing spots)
- Savannah’s Waterfront — 34th Annual Lighted Christmas Street Parade (Dec 12, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m., route)